History

Consett Park Bowling Club celebrates its centenary year in 2023, and as part of the centenary celebrations we are recording the Club's history on these pages.

We have documented the early years of Consett Public Park, the home of Consett Park Bowling Club, and found evidence of bowling in the Consett and Blackhill areas before 1923.

We have added information about the Club's foundation in 1923, and its progress, decade by decade, until modern times.

A lot of the information is derived from newspaper articles of the time. The relevant articles have been transcribed and are presented here, usually exactly as written. Occasionally, transcripts of other articles on the same page are included, to help give a feel for the time. These are unsigned newspaper articles from over 70 years ago, so are out of copyright.

There are, of course, many other sources of information, and we are hoping that you can help us. If you have any documents, photographs, memorabilia or memories of the Club, please contact us.

We have included details of some of the Club's members in the Hall of Fame section, starting with some of the founder members. Perhaps you are one of their descendants, and can help us. Please keep an eye on these pages as we add more details; we would love to hear from you.

Before 1923

This is the period leading up to the foundation of Consett Park Bowling Club in 1923. It includes the creation of Consett Park, and its opening in 1891, and looks at the evidence for bowling in Consett and Blackhill before 1923.

1920s (from 1923)

Consett Park Bowling Club was founded in 1923, and imposed a membership limit of 100. This was increased to 200 when a second green was constructed, but there was still a waiting list. The club was successful in the newly formed North West Durham Bowls league, and social events were very popular.

1930s

The annual reports from 1936 and 1939, Consett Park's triple success in the NW Durham league, and the Consett Iron Company Challenge Cup in 1939.

1940s

A team from Consett Park won the County Fours in 1941, the club got a new chairman in 1942, and there is a photo of the greens and club house, c1942.

1950s

A newspaper report of a scheme instigated by Ralph Alsop.

1960s

Photographs from the 1960s, including the opening of the season in 1962, the winners of the NW Durham Mid-week league, members of the club and prize-winners for season 1962, and an article about Les Inglis, who played for the county.

1970s

Photographs from the 1970s, including a new trophy, the first bowl in the Club's 50th anniverary, hosting a County game, and 50 years of the NW Durham League.

1980s

Photographs from the 1980s, including some County winners from Consett Park. In 1987 the ladies joined the Winship League.

1990s

Photographs from the 1990s, including some County winners from the Club, 75 year celebrations, and fund-raising activities.

2000s

The 2000s saw Consett Park Bowling Club winning trophies in the local leagues, and at County and National level.

2010s

In the 2010s, County and National titles were won by ladies from Consett Park Bowling Club.

Undated

We have selection of photographs that don't have a date. If you can help with dates, occasions or names please contact us.

Hall of Fame

For now, we have entries for some of the founding members of the Club, including Major Arthur Mangles, the Club's first secretary, Ralph Alsop, the Club's first chairman, and E.J. George, the Club's first president.

Durham County

We have listed the Consett Park Bowling Club members who have been County president, those who have been awarded life membership by the County, and winners of County competitions.

Leagues

We are publishing information about the leagues Consett Park Bowling Club has played in. More information will be added when we find it.

Competition Winners

We are publishing as many winners as possible, as and when we find the information. For now, we have the recent Ladies and Mens winners, and some winners from the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.